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Ready for ladder test

rickp

rickp

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 24, 2008
453
2
Miami, Florida
www.threatsolutionsgroup.com
#1
Finally I'm ready for my ladder test. I got 5 rounds loaded from min. to max powder jumping every .5gr. So I have 5 rds of 42.00gr, 5 rnds of 42.5gr, 5 of 43.00gr etc... all the way to 45.00 which is the max for my loads.

So my question is should I load 5 rounds of 45.5gr (.5gr over max) just to see what kind of results I get? I know on paper it's a no no but maybe some still do it just to learn how the load will perform and behave.
I read the articles on this section and he recommends doing it, so I just want to confirm with you guys.

R.
 
#4
Re: Ready for ladder test

I've pushed 178gn .308 A-Maxes with 45.5gn of Varget* without issue. Just keep a close watch for pressure signs in your loads working up to that and don't proceed unless the next lower load looks OK. I think the Hodgdon manual shows 46gn as the max for that bullet, but I don't have it handy. I'm sure others will chime in on this.

* Rem700 BDL 24in 1:12
 
#5
Re: Ready for ladder test

I'm not sure what the max load is for the 178gr, for the 175gr its 45gr. I'm just confirming what the load development article suggested.

I'm actually developing 2 loads for the ladder test. the first group will be with an OAL well short of the lands and grooves, the second will be with the OAL .010" into the lands and grooves. Depending on what results I get I start playing with OAL from there.
It's also another reason why I want to get opinions. I dont; want to push the limits of pressure with the rounds in the lands and grooves. I've had 2 guns blow in my face so I really want to avoid a third time. I'm adrenaline junkie but that's something I can do without.
 
#6
Re: Ready for ladder test

I bet you will not have a problem with 45.5 grains of Varget and a 175 grain bullet.

I would probably shoot up to 47 grains if I was doing it but thats me.
 
#7
Re: Ready for ladder test

I suggest you increase your load in smaller increments as you approach expected max. 45 grs is starting to get hot in both my 308s. If you shoot 47 grs, please make sure there are no innocent bystanders.
You are loading saami spec oal, mag length or jammed?
 
#8
Re: Ready for ladder test

Sorry, I didn't see the oal comments. I have struggled with the oal vs charge weight issue. I think the answer is to find the charge first with the bullets seated long, then reduce oal looking for better groups, which may or may not improve. Starting with two oals adds one additional variable and wastes the shots you could be using to fine tune your seating depth or the charge weight that showed promise.
Of course, I'm not one of the loaders who finds one load acceptable and runs with it for years...
 
#10
Re: Ready for ladder test

You can probably load over max but there is a really good chance your best groupings will show up a few grains under the listed max. That is not to say there could very well be another node somewhere north of the listed max, just all depends on what your gun likes and can handle.
 
#11
Re: Ready for ladder test

Agree with targaflorio. Pick one seating depth to start. I would recommend finding your max load with bullets jammed into the lands. You can always seat them deeper (within reason) in the case from there without worrying about pressure. But if you start with a jump and then jam them you could have pressure issues.

You'll probably like something around 45.0. But, if you go beyond "recommended max" I would do it in smaller increments. Something like .2 steps.
 
#12
Re: Ready for ladder test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crewchef</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agree with targaflorio. Pick one seating depth to start. I would recommend finding your max load with bullets jammed into the lands. You can always seat them deeper (within reason) in the case from there without worrying about pressure. But if you start with a jump and then jam them you could have pressure issues.

You'll probably like something around 45.0. But, if you go beyond "recommended max" I would do it in smaller increments. Something like .2 steps. </div></div>

and crewchef,

I think you guys are absolutely right. What really happened is I screwd up so instead of pulling them I thought I would still shoot them. What I might actually do after talking here, is to pull those rounds and start over with the long rounds. I think that will be simpler, less confusing and better for getting the information I need.
 
#13
Re: Ready for ladder test

You don't need to pull them necessarily, just use an impact puller to get them out long and re-seat to the depth you want.

I believe that starting with a jam sets you at max. pressure for a given load and that when the throat starts to erode and you're actually jumping you'll be ok. You would only get into trouble by trying to take that load back down to 2.800 for a .308 (maybe) due to reducing the volume.
 
#14
Re: Ready for ladder test

fngmike said:
You don't need to pull them necessarily, just use an impact puller to get them out long and re-seat to the depth you want.
I have a hard time visualizing this. Every time I have used my impact bullet puller, the bullet flies into the nose of the device and the powder dumps out. With 300 win mags, everything flies all over. You have a way of lengthening the oal without the bullet coming out of the case? I keep a rcbs collet bullet pulling die in my RL550 sitting next to my single stage to make quick work of changing oal. Bullet barely gets a mark and the powder stays put.
Click to expand...
 
#15
Re: Ready for ladder test

Thanks for the suggestions guys but all I have is a dillon bullet pulling hammer. I just finished redoing them and it wasn't too bad. The hammer kept 99% of the powder in the pocket so it wasn't too painful.

Good point about watching the pressure if I make the OAL shorter even if short of the lands. Since my starting OAL is so long I loaded up a few rounds up to 1gr past max. Depending on how the max load behaves I might shoot them just to see what results I get. But again only after careful inspection of the max load round.

I'm really curious and looking forward to seeing how these shoot. From what I've gathered (unless I f***ed up bad) I have a REALLY long chamber and made my rounds longer than just about any recipe I've read.

Actually, if there's any other reloader shooting an AW I would love to hear what your OAL is and where along the chamber you're loading to.

Thanks
 
#17
Re: Ready for ladder test

I know it's more than what I need for the test. I'm a planner by nature so I made more rounds than I need just in case I'm having a shitty day at the range or whatever. My long range is 3.5 hours away so if Im driving all the way there I want to make sure i get the data I need.
 
#19
Re: Ready for ladder test

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Crewchef</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Agree with targaflorio. Pick one seating depth to start. I would recommend finding your max load with bullets jammed into the lands. You can always seat them deeper (within reason) in the case from there without worrying about pressure. But if you start with a jump and then jam them you could have pressure issues.

You'll probably like something around 45.0. But, if you go beyond "recommended max" I would do it in smaller increments. Something like .2 steps. </div></div>


+1. Start jammed to find your max, and then back out and run smaller increments than 0.5gn.
 
#20
Re: Ready for ladder test

That's the plan for right now. Get a starting point then begin to be more detailed.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">At what distance will you do the ladder test? </div></div>

Graham, I was either 400 or 500.
 
#23
Re: Ready for ladder test

The beauty is taking out all the variables inherent in OCW and Ladder testing and giving you more data to be anal about!
smile.gif
 
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